The Games They Play

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I lay still on Gideon's bed, once again, unable to fall asleep. My eyes burn as my head continues to ache. I kick off the heavy blankets as sweat forms on my skin but I can't do anything about the heavy dress. You would think it would be light and cool, but it is anything but that. The bed has a strange feeling on my back, almost like it's too fluffy and unable to maintain its shape.

I rub my eyes tiredly as I stare up at the darkness. I can hear Gideon mumbling softly from inside the fort but nothing else. Absolute silence. It's driving me insane. It reminds me of the time when our power went out during a blizzard around Christmas time. We were worried that the heat wouldn't come back on before nightfall, but sadly, it didn't come back till morning. I had laid awake at night listening to the smothering silence.

It's strange how you never notice the constant noises of electricity until it's gone.

I have to take loud breaths to make sure I don't go crazy.

Adrien hasn't returned from the "market" yet but I'm fine with that. Adrien seems to be the only one actually mad at me out of the three. I feel better when he's not around. At least Gideon and Shiloh are flexible with this arrangement and not hell-bent on killing me every chance they have. I slowly roll over onto my stomach, unsure if they are light sleepers, and struggle to settle into a comfortable position. I close my eyes again and force myself to drift away by counting and restarting when I yawn.

But my mind is working against me.

All I can think about is home and if Mom managed to escape. If the Masser destroyed my town or returned to its forest cage. On top of that, I can't stop thinking about the boys trying to figure out what they are. I hope they tell me soon, though I don't have high hopes because the moment of explanation will have faded when they wake up. I'm scared they'll go back to how they were before and try killing me again. What do I do if that happens? How am I going to escape?

I open my eyes again to realize I was clenching my teeth. My eyes heavy with a small amount of sleep I gained in a few seconds. I yawn again, hardly able to keep my eyes open, and flip onto my side still hot. I only blinked... Still exhausted, I listen to the soft sounds of the enclosed bedroom. Gideon has stopped mumbling but I can hear Shiloh starting to make a strangled sound. My heart squeezes with sympathy wanting to try waking him up but I'm not sure where Shiloh is in the mess of blankets. Gideon's next to him so I guess he'll wake him up if it gets too bad...

I sit up slowly, brushing my thick hair back trying to tame it. I scan the pitch black room listening for a third set of breathing but I don't hear it. Adrien must still be out. After sitting on the bed for what seems like forever, I realize that I have to use the restroom. Even in disaster situations, you always gotta go. I remember which level was the restroom but I hope they have the same system as we do...

Slowly, I slip off the edge of the bed before standing up on shaky legs. I rub my eyes again as I tiptoe towards the door as silently as possible. As I move quietly, I realize that I smell like Gideon now. It's not a horrible smell but it makes me uncomfortable. I've never had this close of an encounter with boys. I've never hugged a boy outside my family or dated before but that's only because the boys aren't interested in me. And I'm not going to chase a boy any time soon.

A couple girls at school have claimed they love the way their boyfriend smells and steal their sweatshirts to hold onto it. But I don't get what the fuss is about. It's a smell. Everyone has a smell. Why should I be so flustered over it? Besides, I have other things to worry about than shirtless boys and how they smell. Like surviving and escaping.

Honestly, the girls in the books I read are absolutely nuts. It's like the disasters isn't even happening around them. They're so wrapped up in a love triangle and trying to guess each other's feelings and don't even notice that they are going to die soon. I have to stay focused. I won't be like those girls. I have to be smart about this and not get distracted. Besides, I really don't want the boys to hug me... last time I got the life crushed out of me.

I reach the heavy oak door and feel for the brass knob. I slowly turn it and thankfully, it doesn't creak. I am welcomed with the warm light of the amber crystals and the smell of sweet apples. I step out onto the balcony before silently closing the door behind me. I sniff the air realizing that the sweet apple smell has grown stronger hinted with harsh spices of ginger and black pepper. I begin to descend the spiral staircase letting my hand drag along the wall wondering if Adrien has returned.

"Eve."

I jump out of my skin and look back up the stairs to see Gideon leaning over the edge of the railing. Sleep heavy in his eyes as he stares down at me with mild confusion. "Where are you going?" he asks slowly, yawning loudly.

I force myself to relax reminding myself that they need me. I hope they still need me.

"Restroom," I answer but he frowns in response. I clear my throat realizing he may not understand that. "Uh the wash room." I smile weakly at him hoping he doesn't flip out about it. This is so stupid. I should be able to go to the bathroom without being confronted with so many problems. They don't control what I do. But in this case... they are the ones holding the knife to my throat waiting for me to slip up. I can't allow myself to get killed. I have to play their game. Just a little while longer.

His eyes widen with realization, "Ohh okay."

"I thought I heard voices," Adrien says from below, staring up at us with tired eyes. I look down through the steps feeling my heart clutch with panic. His eyes fill with hate for a brief moment before they drop with obvious exhaustion. "You should be sleeping."

"She's going to the washing room."

Adrien gives me a weird look. "But you're supposed to be sleeping."

I frown down at him, "Is it illegal for me to go to the rest-, er washing room? Do I have to ask your permission now?"

Adrien holds his stare.

Gideon laughs, "Heress, Adrien. Katoko veis." He waves him off with an easy smile.

I stare at him blankly feeling left out. I begin to hate the fact that I don't understand what they are saying. Do I ask what it means? Or is it another insult? It reminds me of the time when I sat in on a Spanish lecture that was entirely in Spanish. I was embarrassed, nervous, and hopelessly confused. The feeling is slowly returning the more they talk in their special language.

"Willvario vei," Adrien hisses back, "Willvario seing gres baella frightlo."

Gideon shrugs, "Non vei."

Adrien scoffs before turning back to the kitchen door. "Go to sleep!"

Gideon suddenly leans on the rail with his body half over the edge. He flashes a false flirty smile down at Adrien, "Lustice ren, en loust!" he sings happily. He bursts out laughing, his laugh accented by his own language sounding smooth like a French. The sound of the language reminds me of a hot hybrid of French and Italian. The romance languages combined makes for a seductive sound that even I can't resist. I'm not in love with the boys themselves, but the language sounds like the sin of lovers. Or in their case, loust. I think.

Adrien only growls before storming back into the kitchen. The door doesn't slam behind him for a while. I stand frozen on the staircase waiting for Adrien to go away but the door doesn't close. To my surprise, his blazing hair reappears and he looks up seriously. "How is Shiloh?" he asks, finally switching back to English.

Gideon stops laughing and watches him seriously. "He was upset," he answers bluntly.

Adrien nods slowly, "Okay."

"You know how he gets," Gideon continues in an accusing voice. "Fix it."

Adrien scoffs, "Why should I? It's not like it matters. He shouldn't question-"

"Maybe because he's part of our family," Gideon snaps, anger lighting in his copper eyes. His jaw ticks as he clenches his teeth. "This is my family, Adrien. I'm not letting you ruin it."

I stand awkwardly in the middle of the two, glancing up and down at the boys. They do act like family...

I look back down at Adrien only to be stunned. His usually resentful stare softened for once as he gazes up at Gideon. "I know."

"Then start acting like you do," Gideon snaps, "it doesn't matter if he was human, he's not anymore so get over it. This is my house and my rules. I brought us together and you are not going to tear us apart." He glares at Adrien, gripping the rail so tightly that his hands turn white.

I remain silent, listening and watching the two boys used to the flipping of the rage switch. If anything, I feel relieved that they aren't angry with me anymore. It seems like they moved on to more pressing matters. I begin to wonder how such contrasting people were able to work together in the first place. It should be impossible with Adrien's coldness, Gideon's hot temper and playfulness, and Shiloh's habit to shut down. How on earth did Gideon manage to bring them all together? And then keep them together for more than fifteen years?

"Fine," Adrien answers softly. His tone sounding almost apologetic despite his choice of words. He begins to turn before waving his hand aimlessly up at us. "I bought Swee-puffs. I know he likes it."

Gideon nods with a satisfied look. "He'll like that."

Adrien sighs before walking back into the kitchen. The door finally closing behind him.

I look up at Gideon with new eyes. Wow, so Gideon actually does have a heart after all... and maybe... just maybe Adrien has one too. Gideon catches my stare and flashes me a smile through the bars. "Don't worry about him, once you get to know him he can be a real softie."

I stifle a laugh, "I'm sure he is." He totally isn't.

Gideon grins before starting to walk down the steps. I stiffen from the movement, still nervous about being around him and start walking down the steps. "I'll get going now," I tell him, trying to keep my voice level. He saunters down the steps with a slight bounce saying nothing. My heart begins to sink as I catch his smug gaze set on me. I start walking faster.

Just as I reach the door, Gideon is suddenly behind me. He sets his warm, calloused hand on my bare shoulder and gently pulls me back. I hold back a gasp as he turns me around with both hands. He moves fluidly with that smug smile of his and a seductive gleam in his golden eyes. I tense at his touch as memories rush back into my head. His arms wrapped around my torso trying to crush the life out of me. No, not again. I won't let him. I can't be distracted. It doesn't matter if he's good-looking or shirtless. I won't let him toy with me.

His full lips pull into a dimpled smile, "Why are you in such a hurry?" he coos. His finger traces a line across my collarbone with his other hand resting on my shoulder. I shudder slightly giving him a look but too scared to pull away. If I react, he'll get worse. It's Gideon's sick game. Though, that's how the boys at school usually act. They mess around with a girl and love to frustrate them because it's funny to them. It doesn't mean they like them, it just means they like to toy with them. It's not cute. It's not funny. And I'm not like the other girls.

But Gideon is far more dangerous than the boys at school.

I swallow softly as I struggle to maintain eye contact. "What are you doing?" I ask quietly, remaining perfectly still in order to give him no satisfaction.

He chuckles lowly as his finger traces up my neck. His nail softly digging into my soft skin leaving behind a line of stinging pain. "You're not like Tressa, are you?"

"I don't know what she was like."

"She was light," he muses, "light and fluffy like a Swee-puff. She giggled a lot. Cute." He starts to drag me towards him by pushing on my shoulder. I tense unsure if I should pull away and slap him. And God how I want to. But if I try pushing him away, he'll jump. Like a cat, he'll pounce at any sudden movements. I have to be careful. I can't make a mistake. But I can't let him do this to be either.

"But the more I watch you..." he laughs roughly, "you're stronger than she is."

"You don't know anything about me," I answer smartly, "and I don't know anything about you. So what are you trying to say?" I finally work up enough courage to look in him the eyes. My gaze caught by the three jagged scars across his eye. "What do you want from me, Gideon? It's always a game with you so what's the prize? What do you get if you play the game with me?"

"You're smart too," Gideon draws out, side-stepping the question. "Tressa loved to find good in people but you... you're different."

"What do you want?" I repeat in a stern voice, "Why corner me like this? What do you want so badly that you have to force me to listen?"

He raises an eyebrow, "What if I just want to talk to you?"

I give him an incredulous look. "Is that what you want? Or are you looking for something else?"

"So skeptical," Gideon groans playfully, "heress, Eve. I only want to talk."

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"Relaxxxx," he sighs, leaning close to me. I gasp softly as I slightly lean back unable to remain completely still. He's taller than I am by a few inches making me feel awkward. His lips in front of my eyes, taunting and soft. I close my eyes, forcing myself to ignore it. My heart is racing faster as my face heats up like an oven. Don't react, don't react, don't react. "Come on, Eve. Talk to me."

"Why can't we talk with personal space considered?"

He laughs, his breath hot on my face. "Then it wouldn't be as interesting."

"I don't trust you, so why should I tell you anything about me?"

"Then why should we talk?"

"I don't know, it was your idea."

"You're a smart girl, Eve. Why do you think I want to talk?"

"Probably to mess with me. Play your games." I finally open my eyes to find him slightly bent over to meet my eyes directly. I gulp as my face continues to burn. "I won't play, Gideon. I don't want to mess around. I need to get back home and I don't care what I have to do to get back."

His eyes search mine for a moment. Then his head tilts slightly and moves forward scaring me. My heart jumps realizing he's trying to kiss me. I suddenly pull back, unable to take it anymore. He lets out a sudden growl and immediately grabs my hips and forces me to remain close to him. His eyes filled with rage for a moment before they settle to a deadly calm. "Don't move," he growls darkly.

I hold back a nervous laugh as my blood rushes from my head. Shoot. I swallow and look down at his hand rested on my natural waistline. "I don't trust you."

"Smart girl."

"Why?"

"Because, you're not like Tressa." Then he smirks, "You're not Adrien's."

"What if I don't want to be anyone's?"
"Girls always want to be with someone. Especially human girls."

"And what if I want a normal human boy?"

"Why have that when you could be mine?"

I stare him directly in the eyes. "I'm not 'your's'. I don't know you and you don't know me. It doesn't make any sense. You just want a game, Gideon. And I said it before, I'm not going to play."

Why is this so hard? Why do I want this? Why the heck do I want to kiss him so badly? No, I have to remain in control. I can't freak out. I have to keep going. I've protected myself from boys all my life, saving myself for my one and only that I'd meet in college. I'm not going to give up that promise. Not now. And not to Gideon.

My mother's words echoing in my head. "Teenage boys... they can't 'love' the way you want them too. Love isn't the same for them. There are rare ones that have good intentions, but to most, it's a fun game. They aren't mature enough to understand a girl has feelings when they do things like that. It may sound harsh, but know that I only want to protect you. You father... said the same thing. Even he was like that in high school until he grew up. You have to be careful. Promise me, don't get swept up in the drama. Trust me, it'll be worth every bit when you're older."

Gideon is one of them, but more dangerous. I can't get blinded by fake words just so he can get a couple kisses. I'm not like other girls. And I'll remain faithful to my promise.

"You're no fun," he whines as his grip tightens.

Finally, I take a deep breath and say: "Get your hands off me. I already told you, I'm not going to play with you. So find some other girl to toy with."

His smile fades. I watch him silently, panicking internally about his reaction. Terrified he'd attack or worse. My heart pounding so loudly it muffles my hearing. Did I go too far? Is he going to try forcing me to kiss him, or kill me? His eyes scan my face for a moment before he lowers his head, completely serious now.

"Oh," he says simply, "so you really..." He slowly looks up with a new expression. True curiosity. No strings attached. "I thought..."

"I'm different," I almost whisper, still treading lightly.

A soft and genuine smile spreads across his face. "That's new. Usually, they jump right into it but you..." He laughs softly and takes a step back. I struggle not to exhale loudly from the rush of relief. His breath still sticking to my skin and his hands left faint imprints on my waistline but he's a foot away from me now which is all that matters. He backed away from me. This has to count for something, right? Heaven only knows how much will-power that took. I've read enough books and seen enough movies to know that's when the heroine kisses the villain of the story, giving into her sympathy and innocence. I won't be fooled so easily.

Yes, I do feel bad for them. But that doesn't automatically translate to love. It only causes me to be nice. Not kiss them. I did it. I really did it. I didn't give in. Tension begins to release from my stomach as my blush slowly fades. It's over now.

"You're stronger than you look, despite the fact you scream a lot," he says simply, shifting his weight to one leg and shoving a hand into his pocket. His tanned skin glowing under the soft amber lights, his muscles casting shadows on his body. His hair a complete mess on his head with only half still tied up. A thick curtain of hair dropping over his unscarred face of his face. "Perhaps we underestimated you."

"Perhaps you did," I reply in the same tone, lifting my head to meet his eyes. "Now that we've taken care of that, can I go into the washing room now?"

Gideon stifles a laugh, blinking fast. He shakes his head as his shoulders begin to shake from a silent laugh. "Y-Yes, I guess you can."

I nod shortly trying to remain serious. But I can't help but smile a little. I turn from him and open the door to find more amber lighting.

"Oh, gefhre," he calls amusedly, "if you're having trouble understanding our language, I'd be happy to teach you. English is harder than our language so you'll pick it up quickly. Shiloh did."

"Did Shiloh teach you guys English?" I ask, pausing at the doorway.

He nods, "Of course. He came from your side. We had to

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